The Rockets open camp on Sept. 28, and while the big offseason move came at center (you remember, Dwight Howard) the team that opens the season on Oct. 30 vs. Charlotte may have a very different roster from last year. This week, the Chronicle will break down the Rockets at each position:

Shooting guards

The Roster

James Harden, 6-5, 220

Experience: Harden enters his fifth year in the NBA and second with the Rockets. He spent the first three in Oklahoma City. He is coming off his best season to date, where he averaged 25.9 points per game to lead the Rockets.

BJ Young, 6-3, 180

Experience: Young, a rookie, went undrafted but the Rockets signed him in July to a three-year contract.

Reggie Williams, 6-6, 205

Experience: Williams is entering his fifth year in the NBA. He played in Golden State his first two seasons then spent the last two in Charlotte.

Last year:

James Harden had the best season of his career so far as he came in and instantly became the Rockets top player, he averaged 25.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game in the regular season. He stayed on point in the playoffs with 26.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He is easily the star of this Rockets team, with “Fear the Beard” being a household slogan.

Young was in his final season at Arkansas last year where he averaged 15.2 points per game. He played in four summer league games in Orlando in July and averaged 11.8 points per game.

Williams averaged about 9.5 minutes per game in Charlotte last season and scored 3.6 points per game. The year before, he started 13 games for the Bobcats and averaged 8.3 points per game.

No longer with the Rockets: James Anderson (Philadelphia), Carlos Delfino (Milwaukee)

Looking ahead:

James Harden will be “the guy” again this season for the Rockets. He is considered one of the top shooting guards in the league and has found an identity in Houston. Earlier this summer he said he felt like he really found his place and comfort level in a leadership role with the team.

Time will tell with the other two guards. Young was impressive in summer league games as he improved with each outing. He scored 15 and 20 points in the final two summer league games he played in. He has a familiar face on the team in Patrick Beverley- both guards played at Arkansas. Williams had spurts of greatness early in his career with Golden State, providing a solid 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in 2009-10, but by last year, he was barely cracking the Bobcats’ rotation, so at this point, it is unclear if he can provide any big contributions to the Rockets this season. He does provide another body and depth at the position is important since Delfino, who also played small forward and power forward, and Anderson were both able to provide valuable minutes last year.

Feigen’s take

James Harden’s play in his first season as his team’s go-to scorer moved him among the league’s top 10 players, but even more will be expected in his second season with the Rockets. As bright as the spotlight will be on Dwight Howard, it will shift to Harden late in games when he must grow into a more efficient, polished closer and less reliant to iso-heaves when the ball and Rockets’ chances in close games are in his hands. He will likely earn the most playing time on the team, reducing the role for his backups. In addition to the two point guard backcourts, Francisco Garcia will likely pick up many of the minutes as a backup shooting guard. If Garcia plays as a small forward, a player that has to compete for a roster spot could win that and a place in the rotation. Reggie Williams’ shooting could be valuable, but he will have to compete for a roster spot with the offseason additions at the three.

<center><strong>Big deal brings Harden to H-town</strong></center>
Just days before the start of the 2012-13 season, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey traded Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, a 2013 first-round pick, a future first-round pick and a future second-round pick for Harden, Cole Aldrich, Daequan Cook and Lazar Hayward. The major move gave the Rockets their first star player since the Yao/T-Mac era. less

<center><strong>Big deal brings Harden to H-town</strong></center>
Just days before the start of the 2012-13 season, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey traded Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, a 2013 first-round ... more

Photo: Melissa Phillip / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Dazzling debut</strong></center>
In his first game in Rockets’ red, Harden scored 37 points, dished out 12 assists, pulled down six rebounds and got four steals in a 105-96 win over the Pistons. less

<center><strong>Dazzling debut</strong></center>
In his first game in Rockets’ red, Harden scored 37 points, dished out 12 assists, pulled down six rebounds and got four steals in a 105-96 win over the ... more

Photo: Duane Burleson / Associated Press

Image 3 of 14

<center><strong>Second game twice as nice</strong></center>
Harden followed up his stellar first game with a 45-point, seven-rebound effort in a 109-102 victory over the Hawks.

<center><strong>Second game twice as nice</strong></center>
Harden followed up his stellar first game with a 45-point, seven-rebound effort in a 109-102 victory over the Hawks.

Photo: Scott Cunningham / NBAE via Getty Images

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<center><strong>Well-rounded player</center></strong>
Harden notched his first career triple-double on Feb. 2, 2013 against the Bobcats, recording 21 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes in a 14-point winning effort by the Rockets at home. less

<center><strong>Well-rounded player</center></strong>
Harden notched his first career triple-double on Feb. 2, 2013 against the Bobcats, recording 21 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes in a ... more

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Fear the beard</center></strong>
Harden's trademark facial hair has become larger than life. Fans identify with it and love it.

<center><strong>Fear the beard</center></strong>
Harden's trademark facial hair has become larger than life. Fans identify with it and love it.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Getting to the line</center></strong>
Harden led the league in free throw attempts with 792. He was second in the league (to his friend Kevin Durant) with 674 made free throws. less

<center><strong>Getting to the line</center></strong>
Harden led the league in free throw attempts with 792. He was second in the league (to his friend Kevin Durant) with 674 made free ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Coming through with the game on the line</center></strong>
James Harden was responsible for two game-winning shots in the 2012-13 season. A running jumper with 4.5 seconds left against the Spurs that gave the Rockets a 96-95 win on March 24. A three-pointer at the buzzer on April 9 gave the Rockets a 101-98 win over the Suns after the referees reviewed the shot and determined Jermaine O'Neal goal tended the shot. less

<center><strong>Coming through with the game on the line</center></strong>
James Harden was responsible for two game-winning shots in the 2012-13 season. A running jumper with 4.5 seconds left against the ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

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<center><strong>All-Star host with the most</center></strong>
During All-Star weekend, Harden served as an ambassador for the city. He attended parties, took part in charity events (including an NBA Cares food drive) and coached in the Celebrity Game. less

<center><strong>All-Star host with the most</center></strong>
During All-Star weekend, Harden served as an ambassador for the city. He attended parties, took part in charity events (including an NBA Cares ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

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<center><strong>All-Star Game</center></strong>
In his All-Star debut, Harden scored 15 points, pulled down six boards and dished out three assists in the Western Conference’s 143-138 win at Toyota Center. less

<center><strong>All-Star Game</center></strong>
In his All-Star debut, Harden scored 15 points, pulled down six boards and dished out three assists in the Western Conference’s 143-138 win at Toyota ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Career night</center></strong>
The beard saved his best game for his old OKC buds. Harden scored a career-high 46 points (including a half-court heave that beat the third quarter buzzer) and had seven rebounds and six assists in a 122-119 victory over the Thunder on Feb. 20. less

<center><strong>Career night</center></strong>
The beard saved his best game for his old OKC buds. Harden scored a career-high 46 points (including a half-court heave that beat the third quarter buzzer) and ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Team on his back</center></strong>
Harden's season was amazing to say the least. He failed to reach double-digits in scoring only twice and resurrected the Clutch City hype that took over the city in the mid-90s. less

<center><strong>Team on his back</center></strong>
Harden's season was amazing to say the least. He failed to reach double-digits in scoring only twice and resurrected the Clutch City hype that took over ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Short playoff run</center></strong>
Harden brought the Rockets back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Although the run was short-lived, he proved to the league he is a bona fide superstar who is close to leading the Rockets to a legitimate run at an NBA title. less

<center><strong>Short playoff run</center></strong>
Harden brought the Rockets back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Although the run was short-lived, he proved to the league he ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Chronicle

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<center><strong>Award winner</center></strong>
During his breakout campaign, Harden garnered the player of the week award three times and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

<center><strong>Award winner</center></strong>
During his breakout campaign, Harden garnered the player of the week award three times and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.